ABC Kids shows fly to new multimedia player Birde

The Australian pubcaster's series like The Wiggles and Play School will be available on the new toddler- and preschool-driven multimedia player.

Australia’s ABC Commercial has signed on to become a content provider for a newly launched interactive multimedia player called Birde. The agreement will see ABC Kids content including The Wiggles, Play School, Bananas in Pyjamas and Peter Rabbit, as well as animated books like The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Hairy Maclary, join the Birde library.

Birde was created by Australian parents Daniel and Leah Corkin and allows toddlers and preschoolers to choose content without having to touch a screen, remote control, mouse or keyboard. Kids choose a Birde Seed (pictured) and tap it against the Birde console to access their favorite music, audiobook or video. The wireless Birde audio player can be synced with connected devices like Smart TVs and tablets in order to play video.

Each console comes with a selection of Birde Seeds, and additional content is available through the Birde website. The new content from ABC Kids joins Counting with Paula, Dinosnores and Storybots in the Birde library.

Australian tech company Lyrebird Interactive will launch Birde for pre-order in Australia later this month, with orders in New Zealand, the UK and the US available in early 2018. Both the Birde console (US$249) and Birde Seeds (US$11.95 per pack) will be available for purchase exclusively online.